Does Size Really Matter?

Yes, the finished size has much to do with the desirability of a carving. Â*Carvings less than a few inches in height usually must be displayed in a case for their protection.
Carvings that are taller than 12 inches can be difficult to display as well.

For my own carvings I try to stay in the 8 to 12 inch range; with most around 10 1/2 inches tall.

Collectable carvings (generally) command a much higher price in the 10 to 16 inch range; whereas carvings less than 8 inches fall off quickly in value.

Considering height as the only factor, these generalizations hold true.
(Of course there are exceptions.)

Here is a quick explaination of why most of my carvings are 10 1/2 inches tall. (This is from an old post)
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When I decide to carve a hobo, I enlarge the pattern to 10-1/2 inches tall. Why? Because that makes the pattern fit on a 3 inch (side view) by 4 inch (front view) block of wood.

So how long should the feet be?
Simple, a 6 foot man has approx. 12 inch feet. So 72 inches divided by 12 inches equals 6.
So for a 10+1/2 inch figure, 10-1/2 divided by 6 equals 1-3/4 inches.

For a 6 inch figure, 6 divided by 6 will give you 1 inch feet.

[Callynne]

I do carvings 12 inches and under...the reason...I bought this really neat little leather, hmmm, don't know what you call it, attache case I guess, that I keep my sketching things in. It's always ready when ever we go somewhere so I can sketch the entire trip. Anyhow, a twelve inch sketch pad fits in it perfectly. Glad to hear that's a popular size!! Callynne

Shucks - I've just wasted two weeks carving 3 1/2' Chinese characters. Which reminds me, I need to call LittleShavers and order a couple v tools so I can finish detailing them.

[Colin-Partridge]

Rick,
When I saw this post I was wondering where you were going with it. As you know my carvings are very rarely less than two feet high an as large as twenty five feet high. I think you are absolutly right size does matter if you are selling a carving. My take on it is that people that buy my carvings tend to make sure that they pick the biggest one because my prices dont vary terribly from small to large. If the truth were known the larger carvings most times take less time than the smaller ones. Having said that it is my experience that people always think that big is better mind you I think completly the opposite. I have a passion for Santa carvings and I am in awe of the people that carve them I only wish I had their talent. I in fact collect them and would gladly trade one of my six foot carvings for a 10 inch Santa. That is just my observations
Colin

[owlhause]

In my dealings with the buying public, size absolutely matters.
I can carve two santas with approx. the same size head, (which is where most of my carving time is spent), have one measure 7' on the other elongate the body to 12 or 14' and sell the taller one for three to four times more even though they pretty much took the same amount of time to carve.
I need the smaller ones out there next to the tall ones for that to happen but it will happen without fail.
In general most people opt for 'bigger is better' rather than 'big things come in small packages'!
Excuse me a moment, 'could you biggie size those fries'


GM.

[Kenny_S]

Owl, I have notice at several Carving shows, People tend to buy the bigger carving for the bigger prices. However, I don't believe that to be true with collectors. A AfroAmerican Carver from Venita Ok has several collectors who single him out for his carvings and he basicly just stylize carves but he is real good at those. Once ion a while he has detail in his carving but generally he doesn't. Some are small so I wonder then, If the collector was buying the carving for who carved it or the carving subject matter itself. Lots to learn in the carving world for newcomers and old timers alike. This old dog is leraning every day.
Arf Arf. :

I just read a book that had an article about miniture Kachina dolls going for $600.00. So I'm assuming, it all depends on who you are if size matters or not. These little fellars were about 3 inches tall at most. So I guess it all depends on who is doing the carving and their reputation. I better make carvings bigger after saying that.