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.

Polynesian Wood Sculpture

Carved Polynesian

Polynesian Art

Shou Sugi Ban Furniture

Hand Carved Wood Totem

Hand-Carved Polynesian Totem Post Sculpture with Ancestor Female Figures

$2,750

Hand-Carved Polynesian Totem Post Sculpture with Ancestor Female Figures

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Striking hand-carved Polynesian totem post sculpture featuring a series of stacked ancestor figures beneath a stylized bird-form crest.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Polynesian Carved Sculpture

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H 8.5 in W 3.25 in D 2.25 in

Polynesian Carved Sculpture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A small, hand-carved Polynesian sculpture from the Marquesas Islands with soft curved wood grain throughout.

Category

Mid-20th Century Polynesian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

1960s Shou-sugi-ban Stool Polynesian Tiki Jungle Wood Sculpture Orange Kids Room

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H 15.25 in W 20 in D 12.5 in

1960s Shou-sugi-ban Stool Polynesian Tiki Jungle Wood Sculpture Orange Kids Room

By William Westenhaver / Witco

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Original orange vinyl upholstery could be re-done to match your setting. A playful throwback from a different time. Good weight, solid wood.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Tribal Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood

POLYNESIAN SCULPTURE

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H 41.5 in W 16 in D 14 in

POLYNESIAN SCULPTURE

Located in Solebury, PA

Polynesian figural sculpture, mad for the tourist trade. From a prominent midwestern collection, which was assembled between the 1930's and 1940's.

Category

Vintage 1930s Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Tribal Wood Carved Statue

$1,300

H 30.5 in W 5 in D 5.75 in

Tribal Wood Carved Statue

Located in East Hampton, NY

Tribal wood carved statue. Unknown origin.

Category

20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Circa 1900 Salish Totem

$2,000

H 15 in W 3 in D 3 in

Circa 1900 Salish Totem

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

This old model Salish pole dates to around 1900 and was sold out of the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Co. in Seattle, WA. The pole depicts an inverted killer whale, although the identities ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Antique Carved Wood Sculpture

$3,900

H 52 in W 12.75 in D 6 in

Antique Carved Wood Sculpture

Located in Sheffield, MA

Exotic 19th century carved relief architectural wood element, once part of a building facade has now been mounted on metal stand and made into an exciting and impressive sculpture. ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Tribal Guardian Figure, Northwest Nepal

$1,500

H 12 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Tribal Guardian Figure, Northwest Nepal

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Late 19th-early 20th century tribal guardian figure, Northwest Nepal The mere essence of a protector figure remains in this weathered fragment, with hands clasped in front of ches...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nepalese Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Carved Wooden Bamana Tribe Style Post

$5,200Sale Price|54% Off

H 98 in W 22 in D 23 in

Carved Wooden Bamana Tribe Style Post

Located in Chicago, IL

Bamana tribe art is known for masks, textiles and architectural elements. This Y-shaped post supported a heavy roof timber and acted as a welcoming symbol. Bamana and Dogon building ...

Category

20th Century African Tribal Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Primitive Carved Wood Figural Tiki Totem Kinetic Wobbly Balancing Art Sculpture

$850

H 42 in W 24 in D 7 in

Primitive Carved Wood Figural Tiki Totem Kinetic Wobbly Balancing Art Sculpture

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Primitive Carved Wood Figural Tiki Kinetic Wobbly Balancing Art Sculpture. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 42" H x 24" W x 7" D.

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Singa Singa Tribal Carving from the Batak People in Sumatra

$2,875

H 58 in W 15 in D 15 in

Hand Carved Singa Singa Tribal Carving from the Batak People in Sumatra

Located in Yonkers, NY

A antique hand carved tribal carving from the Batak People, northern Sumatra, called a Singa Singa with traces of green and yellow polychromy and nicely weathered appearance. Attract...

Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Tribal Wood Carved Statue

$550

H 18.75 in W 4.5 in D 4 in

Tribal Wood Carved Statue

Located in East Hampton, NY

Tribal wood carved statue... Unknown origin...

Category

Early 20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Burmese Architectural Carved and Polychromed Wood Pole Southeast Asia

$4,800

H 83 in W 10.5 in D 10.5 in

Antique Burmese Architectural Carved and Polychromed Wood Pole Southeast Asia

Located in Atlanta, GA

A striking architectural pole carved from solid teak that was used for building construction in Burma circa 19th century. Serving both structural and ornamental purposes, this types ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Burmese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Teak

Yam Ancestor Figure TOTEM Pole Papua New Guinea with Provenance

$3,800

H 37 in Dm 6 in

Yam Ancestor Figure TOTEM Pole Papua New Guinea with Provenance

Located in Atlanta, GA

A yam ancestor TOTEM pole from the mid-Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. Carved out of a solid wood by the Abelam people, who cultivated yams as their main crop, the pole featu...

Category

Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Sago Peg, Abelam/Wosera People, Papua New Guinea

$850 / item

H 4 in W 6 in D 2 in

Early 20th Century Sago Peg, Abelam/Wosera People, Papua New Guinea

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Sago peg, tapak, Abelam/Wosera people, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea Sago pegs are used to secure a screen mesh during the preparation of sago flour. This example depicts a ...

Category

Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Shell

Contemporary Carved Wood Figural Sculpture

$1,500

H 31 in W 6 in D 4 in

Contemporary Carved Wood Figural Sculpture

Located in Queens, NY

Contemporary carved wood abstract figural sculpture.

Category

20th Century American Modern Figurative Sculptures

19th century Antique wooden Indian temple panel from India

$918

H 4.93 in W 31.89 in D 8.67 in

19th century Antique wooden Indian temple panel from India

Located in DEVENTER, NL

This antique wooden Indian temple panel, originating from India, stands at 81 cm tall and showcases intricate craftsmanship characteristic of the 19th century. Made of wood, this pie...

Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Indonesian Hand-Carved Wooden Weaver’s Spinner – Primitive Art on Stand

$753

H 18.12 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in

Indonesian Hand-Carved Wooden Weaver’s Spinner – Primitive Art on Stand

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

This primitive Indonesian weaver’s spinner is a rare hand-carved wooden object from the Sumba Islands, in eastern Indonesia. Once used as part of a traditional spinning tool for hand...

Category

20th Century Indonesian Rustic Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Statue from Borneo

$2,200

H 51 in W 6 in D 3 in

Antique Statue from Borneo

By Andrianna Shamaris

Located in New York, NY

Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits. The wood base was placed into the ground in front of t...

Category

Vintage 1950s Indonesian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Boho Monumental Carved Totem Sculpture

$1,650

H 91.5 in W 6 in D 7 in

Vintage Boho Monumental Carved Totem Sculpture

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Make a profound statement with this vintage Boho monumental carved wood totem sculpture, a truly captivating piece of primitive artistry. Hand-hewn from a substantial piece of wood, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Rustic Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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Polynesian Wood Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of polynesian wood sculpture for your home. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood. Your living room may not be complete without an item from our selection of polynesian wood sculpture — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Many designers have produced at least one well-made choice in our collection of polynesian wood sculpture over the years, but those crafted by William Westenhaver and Witco are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Polynesian Wood Sculpture?

Prices for a piece of polynesian wood sculpture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,775 and can go as high as $11,250, while the average can fetch as much as $4,480.

Questions About Polynesian 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.