Custom Woodcarvings

Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool held in the hand, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. To carve in wood is very difficult owing to the tendency of wood to crack. Only master craftsman can conquer this discipline. Wood carving has been plasticized already by the great ancient civilizations. In the Cairo museum is an ancient Egyptian statue of a man from the period of the great pyramid. Of the work of Assyria, Greece and Rome, little is actually known except from history or inference. It may be safely assumed that the Assyria craft kept pace with the varying taste and refinement of Greece and all the older civilizations. Important pieces of wooden Roman sculpture which once existed in Greece and other ancient countries are only known to us from the descriptions of Pausanias and other classic writers. Many examples of the wooden images of the gods were preserved down to late historic times. The Palladium, or sacred figure of Pallas, which was guarded by the Vestal Virgins in Rome and was fabled to have been brought by Aeneas froth the burning Troy, was one of these wooden figures. But it was the Byzantine Empire that greatly advanced the art of wood-carving. The Byzantine churches were decorated with huge and incredible complex iconostasis. Iconostasis is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. This wall would be carved out of wood with intricate and delicate symbols inspiring awe from every visitor.



And because wood-carving is a beautiful form of art, it has its own gallery at Ancient Sculpture Gallery. We do accept custom orders. If there is a project you are interested in, our master wood craftsmen can deliver the best results. Contact us. Below are some of the designs we can offer – we can carve an entire wall for you, a ceiling, or create a wall plaque ready for hanging.