Wood Sculpture for Sale

Wood and stone were among the first materials used by humans for carving tools and creating sculptures. While wood was commonly utilized, only a few wooden objects have survived through the centuries due to its tendency to decompose faster and be more easily damaged compared to more durable materials like bronze or stone.

From the 7th to the 9th century, many woodcarvers lived in monasteries, traveling from one to another. These woodcarvers were rare, and the style they followed was often prescriptive, leading to sculptures that were strikingly similar. This period was also marked by iconoclasm, during which religious wooden sculptures were destroyed due to the prohibition of depicting religious subjects.

Wood carving has a rich history in various regions, including England, Scandinavia, Africa, India, and Australia. In Europe, the 15th and 16th centuries saw a significant development in wooden sculpture, especially in Germany. Influential Gothic sculptors like Tilman Riemenschneider, Veit Stoss, Michael Pacher, Gregor Erhart, and Jorg Zurn pushed the boundaries of woodcarving, creating highly detailed and intricate works that remain influential to this day.

In the 17th century, woodcarving experienced a resurgence in England as Baroque ornaments became popular. Grinling Gibbons, a renowned woodcarver of the time, was one of the few artists widely recognized for his contributions. Meanwhile, in France, the Rococo style reignited interest in wood carving, with designers like Lelange, Foliot, and Cressent incorporating it into ornate furniture pieces.

Modern artists such as Brancusi, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Paul Gauguin have continued to explore wood as a medium. Brancusi, inspired by classical traditions, emphasized the finish and materiality of the wood, while Moore used it to create abstract and evocative forms. Hepworth's modern pieces and Gauguin's use of wood to connect with primitive techniques further demonstrate wood's versatile role in contemporary art.

Wood stands apart from other materials like resin or bronze due to its fragility and the range of tools required for carving. The technique used depends on the desired outcome, whether it's a low-relief sculpture or a free-standing piece that allows the viewer to walk around it. The process begins with sourcing wood planks that are flattened, dried, and calibrated. A sketch is then drawn onto the wood, and excess material is removed to roughly shape the piece. The sculptor uses tools such as u-gouges to refine the form, followed by flat gouges, chisels, and carving knives to add fine details and shadow play.

Artsper offers an extensive selection of modern wooden sculptures by prominent contemporary artists such as Nando Stevoli, Gaspard Mitz, César Orrico, Marc Laffolay, Lesley Hilling, and Valérie Carmet. These artists continue to push the boundaries of wood as a material, creating unique and striking sculptures that capture the versatility and timeless appeal of this medium.

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Sculpture, Coke! 2018, JP Malot

Coke! 2018

JP Malot

Sculpture - 28 x 28 x 2 cm Sculpture - 11 x 11 x 0.8 inch

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Sculpture, Double, Pinto

Double

Pinto

Sculpture - 35 x 18 x 3 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 7.1 x 1.2 inch

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Sculpture, Pods, Vladimir Michev

Pods

Vladimir Michev

Sculpture - 170 x 80 x 60 cm Sculpture - 66.9 x 31.5 x 23.6 inch

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Sculpture, Anzud, Zulfiya Spowart

Anzud

Zulfiya Spowart

Sculpture - 115 x 95 x 3 cm Sculpture - 45.3 x 37.4 x 1.2 inch

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Sculpture, Sunset, Rémy Demestre

Sunset

Rémy Demestre

Sculpture - 25.5 x 27 x 11 cm Sculpture - 10 x 10.6 x 4.3 inch

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Sculpture, Pimp panther, Art By Son

Pimp panther

Art By Son

Sculpture - 55 x 23 x 20 cm Sculpture - 21.7 x 9.1 x 7.9 inch

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Sculpture, Kingdom, Pinto

Kingdom

Pinto

Sculpture - 58 x 8 x 3 cm Sculpture - 22.8 x 3.1 x 1.2 inch

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Sculpture, Moon W, Bruno Bani

Moon W

Bruno Bani

Sculpture - 60 x 60 x 10 cm Sculpture - 23.6 x 23.6 x 3.9 inch

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Sculpture, La vie, Cécile Thonus

La vie

Cécile Thonus

Sculpture - 54.2 x 37.5 x 20 cm Sculpture - 21.3 x 14.8 x 7.9 inch

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Sculpture, Nuance 8, Jack Jacquot

Nuance 8

Jack Jacquot

Sculpture - 34 x 43 x 2 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

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Sculpture, Zébré, Arsen

Zébré

Arsen

Sculpture - 20 x 12 x 11 cm Sculpture - 7.9 x 4.7 x 4.3 inch

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Sculpture, Trukulente, Arsen

Trukulente

Arsen

Sculpture - 51.5 x 18.5 x 5.5 cm Sculpture - 20.3 x 7.3 x 2.2 inch

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Sculpture, Cardumen, Patopalomo

Cardumen

Patopalomo

Sculpture - 57 x 93 x 2 cm Sculpture - 22.4 x 36.6 x 0.8 inch

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Sculpture, Les bonh'om bidules, VHE

Les bonh'om bidules

VHE

Sculpture - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

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Sculpture, Cochon Blanc, Alain Derda

Cochon Blanc

Alain Derda

Sculpture - 25 x 60 x 25 cm Sculpture - 9.8 x 23.6 x 9.8 inch

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Sculpture, The A, Wilds

The A

Wilds

Sculpture - 120 x 110 x 15 cm Sculpture - 47.2 x 43.3 x 5.9 inch

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Sculpture, Horizon, Wilds

Horizon

Wilds

Sculpture - 125 x 180 cm Sculpture - 49.2 x 70.9 inch

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Sculpture, Misty Morning, Wilds

Misty Morning

Wilds

Sculpture - 112 x 135 x 15 cm Sculpture - 44.1 x 53.1 x 5.9 inch

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Sculpture, Confrontation, Wilds

Confrontation

Wilds

Sculpture - 114 x 118 x 15 cm Sculpture - 44.9 x 46.5 x 5.9 inch

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Sculpture, Champignon Explosif, Sank

Champignon Explosif

Sank

Sculpture - 27 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture - 10.6 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch

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Sculpture, Kido-totem, Kokimoto

Kido-totem

Kokimoto

Sculpture - 27 x 14 x 14 cm Sculpture - 10.6 x 5.5 x 5.5 inch

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Sculpture, Plante carnivore, Sank

Plante carnivore

Sank

Sculpture - 63 x 30 x 40 cm Sculpture - 24.8 x 11.8 x 15.7 inch

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Sculpture, Banksy Haring, Luna

Banksy Haring

Luna

Sculpture - 62 x 26 x 20 cm Sculpture - 24.4 x 10.2 x 7.9 inch

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Sculpture, Coke 'Brut'!, JP Malot

Coke 'Brut'!

JP Malot

Sculpture - 28 x 28 x 4 cm Sculpture - 11 x 11 x 1.6 inch

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Sculpture, Totem S, Bernard Froment

Totem S

Bernard Froment

Sculpture - 207 x 42 x 20 cm Sculpture - 81.5 x 16.5 x 7.9 inch

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Sculpture, F$N1X part II, Art By Son

F$N1X part II

Art By Son

Sculpture - 180 x 70 x 60 cm Sculpture - 70.9 x 27.6 x 23.6 inch

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Sculpture, Half weasel, Bordalo

Half weasel

Bordalo

Sculpture - 37 x 28 x 3 cm Sculpture - 14.6 x 11 x 1.2 inch

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Need help with Wood Sculpture ?
What is the difference between wood carving and sculpture?

Wood carving refers to a process where material is taken away from a block of wood using a tool like a knife, whereas the term "sculpture" refers to any work of three-dimensional art. Sculptures can be produced using a variety of techniques. 

Who is the most famous wood carver?

One of the most famous sculptors that has worked with wood carving is Barbara Hepworth. Her work explores themes such as the contrast between the solid and the void, and the relationship between people and nature.

What is the most popular wood sculpture?

Some of the most famous wood sculptures are those of American artist Ben Butler, such as his abstract large-scale work Unbounded, which he created in 2015. The work is comprised of over 10,000 poplar sticks.