Carving

Carving, in Art, is the cutting of the surface of any substance into artistic designs. The practice is of great antiquity, and ranges from the carvings upon wood or horn or stone by prehistoric man, to the elaborate work of Grinling Gibbons in the last century. One favourite substance with carvers, especially in the East, has been ivory, which, while very durable, is capable of the most delicate treatment. The great Chryselephantine statue of Athene was one of the chief treasures of Athens. Churches and other public buildings have been much enriched by carvings. The stalls in some of our old churches and cathedrals, the pulpit in Antwerp cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral, the house at Chatsworth, are fine specimens of the art. In Germany, in the Dutch Zeeland, at Lisieux, and other French towns, are good specimens of wood carving as applied to the external and internal adornment of houses; while the Maoris of New Zealand were no mean adepts in the craft, and the South Sea islanders generally executed elaborate carvings upon their canoes and weapons of war.