Wood carving is one of humanity's oldest art forms, yet many of its most significant traditions have faded into obscurity or are on the brink of extinction. Among the most endangered is the intricate Chinese Dongyang wood carving, renowned for its layered reliefs and symbolic motifs. Once a staple of imperial architecture, this craft now struggles with dwindling master artisans.

Similarly, Japan’s Hida Shunkei lacquer carving, which combines delicate woodwork with translucent lacquer finishes, faces decline due to modern industrialization and a lack of apprentices. In Europe, the Norwegian acanthus carving tradition—a Viking-inspired floral style—has nearly vanished, preserved only in a handful of museums.

The Pacific Northwest’s totem pole carving by Indigenous communities also risks being lost, as fewer elders remain to pass down oral techniques. Meanwhile, Africa’s Yoruba ceremonial wood carvings, once central to spiritual rituals, are fading due to urbanization and shifting cultural values.

These traditions represent more than artistry—they are living histories. Without urgent preservation efforts, their stories may be carved only in the annals of time.