Naruko Kokeshi Doll
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Toys
Wood
Vintage 1950s Asian Showa Sculptures and Carvings
Maple
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1980s Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Maple
Mid-20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings
Iron
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Edo Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Mounted Objects
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Signs
Metal, Wrought Iron
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Finding the Right sculptures-carvings for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The meaning of the term "kokeshi dolls” refers to Japanese dolls carved out of wood. Typically, the dolls depict men or women. You can easily identify them by their round heads and cylindrical armless bodies. On 1stDibs, find a range of kokeshi dolls.
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