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.

Japan Wood Sculpture

19th Century Japanese Carved Furniture

19th Century Japanese Wood Carving

Kokeshi Dolls

Carved Wood Doll

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Burl

Japanese Hand Carved Burl Wood Fruit and Flower Display Basket

$3,900

A Japanese Meiji period carved ivory crane.

Located in New York, NY

A Japanese Meiji period naturalistically carved ivory crane, on a burled wood base. Signed Kofu

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures

Materials

Ivory, Wood

A Japanese Meiji period carved ivory crane.

$60,000

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Japanese Ranma are traditionally positioned in open space, above a doorway, or in a high open area

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

$2,137

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Japanese Ranma are traditionally positioned in open space, above a doorway, or in a high open area

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

$2,137

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Japanese Ranma are traditionally positioned in open space, above a doorway, or in a high open area

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Ranma Wood Carving Featuring "Birds in Flight" "Long Blades of Grass"

$2,137

Wooden inro, Japan Showa Era

Located in Saverne, Grand Est

Inro representing a mouse on a barrel. Very detailed sculpture, quality object. Japan 20th century.

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Wooden inro, Japan Showa Era

$474

Wooden Japanese 18th Century Nio Guardian Figure

Located in New York, NY

A large and dramatic muscled Nio guardian figure. Nio figures were placed outside Buddhist temples as protectors against evil spirits and to keep the temple free of demons and thie...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Wooden Japanese 18th Century Nio Guardian Figure

$9,000

Antique Japanese Gosho-ningyo

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Gosho-ningyo, a standing young male holding a painted and embroidered Chinese style fan

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Gosho-ningyo

$2,500

Japanese Okimono of a Goat

By Kichikawa Yoshinobu

Located in MILANO, IT

A Japanese wood okimono of a goat with kid. Signed under the base on a rectangular reserve.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Okimono of a Goat

$6,526

Asian Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Guilded and Painted Hand Carved Wooden Asian Sculpture of a Warrior Standing on a Fish.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Asian Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture

$1,450

Japanese Carved and Painted Wooden Monkey

Located in New York, NY

Seated, holding a honeycomb with a wasp sitting on it, this intricately carved monkey is inlaid with glass eyes. Signed.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Carved and Painted Wooden Monkey

$16,000

Kyogen Mask, Oto, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade

Located in London, GB

pigments and gesso over wood. Well-worn with external areas showing aged wood patina. Thin cracks on the

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Kyogen Mask, Oto, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade, 20th century

$1,643

Hannya Noh Mask, Demon, Japanese Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade

Located in London, GB

: 10.5 cm Hannya is perhaps one of the most recognizable character from Japanese theatre, due in part to

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Hannya Noh Mask, Demon, Japanese Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade, 20th century

$4,107

Kyogen Mask, Buaku Demon, Japanese Theatre, 19th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade

Located in London, GB

and painted hinoki (cypress). Polychrome pigments and gesso over wood. Eyes ringed in gold copper. His

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Kyogen Mask, Buaku Demon, Japanese Theatre, 19th Century, Woodcraft, Handmade, 19th century

$5,750

Hannya Noh Mask, Demon, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Kusumoto

By Kusumoto Nohaku

Located in London, GB

length: 10 cm Hannya is perhaps one of the most recognizable character from Japanese theatre, due in

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Kusumoto Nohaku
Hannya Noh Mask, Demon, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Kusumoto, 20th century

$2,464

Japanese Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, standing male figure with ikat patterned purple chirimen silk kimono

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$6,400

Noh Mask of a Young Girl, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft

Located in London, GB

character perhaps in keeping with her maiden status. Noh masks are carved from a single piece of wood

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Noh Mask of a Young Girl, Japanese Classical Theatre, 20th Century, Woodcraft, 20th century

$2,464

Large Carved Japanese Lotus Tray 19th-20th Century

Located in Frome, Somerset

A large Japanese wood Lotus Tray. Well carved in the form of lotus leaves, flowers and seed pods

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Large Carved Japanese Lotus Tray 19th-20th Century

$1,643

Noh Mask of a Fierce God, Actor, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 19th Century Woodcraft

Located in London, GB

introduced to Japan over six centuries ago, Shinto was the main system of belief focused on ritual practice

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Noh Mask of a Fierce God, Actor, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 19th Century Woodcraft, 19th century

$4,929

Noh Mask of a Young Boy, Actor, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 19th Century, Woodcraft

Located in London, GB

, with a face slightly rounded and feminine, almost androgynous. Although in Japanese the word 'doji

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Noh Mask of a Young Boy, Actor, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 19th Century, Woodcraft, 19th century

$3,286

Japanese Kuge Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kuge Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, a standing young prince figure holding a compass, wearing a

Category

Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Kuge Tachiko Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$5,200

Antique Japanese Gosho Ningyo Palace Doll

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Gosho Ningyo, a palace figure of a young noble boy seated with his feet extended forward

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Shell, Wood

Antique Japanese Gosho Ningyo Palace Doll

$9,500

Antique Japanese Hearth, Kettle Hook “Jizai Kogi”

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Japanese Hearth Hook “Jizai Kogi” repurposed as Sculpture Beautifully executed craftsmanship

Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Hearth, Kettle Hook “Jizai Kogi”

$1,762

Sori Yanagi Oversized Puzzle Sculpture

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Bastrop, TX

This 5-level, oversized wood puzzle sculpture was made by Sori Yanagi (the designer of the famous

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Teak

Sori Yanagi Oversized Puzzle Sculpture

$550

Noh Mask of an Old Man, Okina, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 20th Century, Kusumoto

By Kusumoto Nohaku

Located in London, GB

cm Carved and painted hinoki (cypress). Polychrome pigments and gesso over wood. Well-worn with

Category

20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pigment

Kusumoto Nohaku
Noh Mask of an Old Man, Okina, Japanese Theatre, Drama, 20th Century, Kusumoto, 20th century

$2,464

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century Antique Woodcraft Dog

Located in London, GB

This growling dog netsuke is made entirely out of wood, with glass eyes. As glass was a rare

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century Antique Woodcraft Dog, 19th century

$643

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori gosho ningyo (a good luck wish palace doll) of a plump kneeling male child

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$4,500

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Artisan

Located in London, GB

This netsuke is made entirely out of wood and depicts a sleeping lady being watched by two oni

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Artisan, 19th century

$3,697

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Charm

Located in London, GB

This netsuke is made entirely out of wood and shows one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, Fukurokuju

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Charm, 19th century

$492

Japanese Kofuku No Inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori gosho ningyo (a good luck wish palace doll) of a plump kneeling male child

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Kofuku No Inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$2,200

Japanese Kofuku No Inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kofuku no inori Gosho Ningyo (a good luck prayer palace doll) of a kneeling boy holding a

Category

Antique Early 1800s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Kofuku No Inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$2,800

Japanese Yokogi, a Fish Shaped Fulcrum, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Yokogi, a fish shaped fulcrum for the pot hook assembly over the hearth, a naively carved

Category

Antique Early 1800s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Yokogi, a Fish Shaped Fulcrum, Edo Period

$4,500

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th century, Antique, Woodcraft, Artisan

Located in London, GB

Netsuke were practical fashion accessories worn by Japanese men of the Edo period (1615 - 1868

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th century, Antique, Woodcraft, Artisan, 19th century

$588

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Tengu

Located in London, GB

. Netsuke were practical fashion accessories worn by Japanese men of the Edo period (1615-1868). Kimono has

Category

19th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke, Wood, Accessory, Fashion, 19th Century, Antique, Woodcraft, Tengu, 19th century

$2,190

Large Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Large Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, of a male child resting on one knee donning a black

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Large Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$7,200

Japanese Traditional Kimekomi Ichimatsu Boy Doll, 1960s

Located in Paris, FR

. The face was painted by hand. Kimekomi doll means the Japanese doll whose body was made of wood

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Silk, Plaster, Wood

Japanese Traditional Kimekomi Ichimatsu Boy Doll, 1960s

$569

Antique Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori gosho ningyo (a good luck wish palace doll) of a plump male child kneeling

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo period

$3,000

Antique Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Kofuku-no-inori gosho ningyo (a good luck wish palace doll) of a plump male child seated

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Kofuku-no-inori Gosho Ningyo, Edo Period

$1,500

Very Nice, Elegant Patinated Bronze of the Japanese Geisha, circa 1890

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nice, elegant patinated bronze of the Japanese Geisha playing the drum in traditional outfit

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Very Nice, Elegant Patinated Bronze of the Japanese Geisha, circa 1890

$5,696 / set

Tall Antique 19th Century Japanese Traveling Shrine with Quan Yin

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

This Japanese traveling shrine is often referred to as a Zushi and is rare for several important

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Tall Antique 19th Century Japanese Traveling Shrine with Quan Yin

$1,500

Late 19th Century Large Japanese Meiji Bronze of Tigers Attacking an Elephant

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

A Japanese wood and bronze elephant and tiger sculpture from the late Meiji period (1868-1912), the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Large Japanese Meiji Bronze of Tigers Attacking an Elephant

$5,250

Large Wood Netsuke of a Shishi

Located in Milano, IT

Large wood netsuke of a shishi Kyoto school, 18th/19th century Height: 5.7cm The large

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Large Wood Netsuke of a Shishi

$4,495

Japanese Mitsuore Ningyo of a Girl, a Jointed Costume Doll, Meiji Period

Located in New York, NY

Japanese Mitsuore ningyo of a girl, a jointed costume doll crafted of wood and covered in multiple

Category

Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Mitsuore Ningyo of a Girl, a Jointed Costume Doll, Meiji Period

$3,200

Rare Large, 18th-19th Century Japanese Hanging Mask of Beshimi Type

Located in Berlin, Berlin

unique Japanese manner called gyokugan (lit. crystal eyes). These are eyes made of rock crystal with

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Rare Large, 18th-19th Century Japanese Hanging Mask of Beshimi Type

$83,070

18th Century Lacquer Bodhisattva of Benevolence Sculpture

Located in Honolulu, HI

This 18th century Japanese sculpture of the bodhisattva Fugen is sensitively rendered in the dry

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

18th Century Lacquer Bodhisattva of Benevolence Sculpture

$25,000

Midcentury Black Fertility Sculpture on a Tree Trunk Base

Located in Mount Penn, PA

A vintage black sculpted limestone concrete fertility sculpture on a tree trunk base, circa 1960s

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Limestone, Concrete

Midcentury Black Fertility Sculpture on a Tree Trunk Base

$5,750

Sansukumi, Okimono

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

The title of this wood carving is "Sansukumi", or "The Frozen Three!" It depicts the Snake, Frog

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Sansukumi, Okimono

$9,500

Head of Bishamonten

Located in New York, NY

Bishamonten, a.k.a. Tamonten. Japanese Warrior God, healer, and commander of the Guardians of the

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Head of Bishamonten

$6,500

Gosho Doll

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

Gosho (from the Imperial Palace) Ningyo, is a gift doll from the imperial family. They are always baby like in appearance, which expresses a noble innocence.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Gosho Doll

$3,500

Lion Dog Mask

Located in Seattle, WA

Japanese carved wood shishi, lion dog, dance mask. In Japan, the shishimai or lion dance is often

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Busts

Materials

Wood

Lion Dog Mask

$5,200

ANDREA BY SADEK Blue Porcelain Buddha Figurine on Stand

Located in Charlotte, NC

glazed porcelain of a seated Buddha, and a separate decoratively carved round wood base. Made in Japan

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

ANDREA BY SADEK Blue Porcelain Buddha Figurine on Stand

$395 / set

Bronze Heron

Located in Snellegem, BE

Bronze Heron, bird on wooden stand, japanese

Category

20th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Heron

$2,610

Japanese sculpture Bas Relief of a Sennin

Located in MILANO, IT

A fine wood panel of a Gama Sennin with a frog on his shoulder.

Category

20th Century Japanese Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Japanese sculpture Bas Relief of a Sennin

$1,186

20th Century Wooden Statue

Located in TORINO, IT

A 20th century wooden statue.

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

20th Century Wooden Statue

$2,136

Japanese Bronze Sculpture Okimono of an Eagle

Located in MILANO, IT

Standing on a wood natural base with its wings spread. Signed in a rectangular reserve.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Sculpture Okimono of an Eagle

$5,340

Edo Period Counterbalance for a Traditional Kettle Hook in Shape of a Sea Bream

Located in Berlin, Berlin

Beautifully carved cross-piece (yokogi) for a traditional Japanese kettle hook (jizaikagi). Such

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal

Edo Period Counterbalance for a Traditional Kettle Hook in Shape of a Sea Bream

$7,595

1960’s Japanese Wood Carving Bear /Vintage Figurine Sculpture Folk Art

By Japanese Studio

Located in London, Lambeth

Japan living and practicing art on the of Hokkaido Cc1960’s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

1960’s Japanese Wood Carving Bear /Vintage Figurine Sculpture Folk Art

$684

Asian Art and Furniture Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Asian Art and Furniture

20th Century Asian Art and Furniture

Wood Asian Art and Furniture

Asian Asian Art and Furniture

Asian Art and Furniture on Sale

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Japan Wood Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Japan wood sculpture available at 1stDibs. An item from our selection of Japan wood sculpture — often made from wood, metal and bronze — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a choice in our collection of Japan wood sculpture, we have 1433 options in-stock, while there are 65 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the object in our assortment of Japan wood sculpture you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. An option in this array of Japan wood sculpture, designed in the mid-century modern, folk art or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made piece of Japan wood sculpture has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Hiroyuki Nishimura, Zougei and Isamu Noguchi are consistently popular.

How Much is a Japan Wood Sculpture?

Prices for a piece of Japan wood sculpture start at $0 and top out at $200,000 with the average selling for $1,702.

Questions About Japan Wood Sculpture

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.