woodcarving

Art form practised in many parts of the world since prehistoric times: for example, the northwestern Pacific coast of North America, in the form of totem poles, and West Africa, where there is a long tradition of woodcarving, notably in Nigeria. Woodcarvings survive less often than sculpture in stone or metal because of the comparative fragility of the material.

Ancient woodcarvings have been preserved in hot, dry (Egypt, China) and cool, wet (Scandinavian bogs, estuarine) conditions.