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What is the origin of the three wise monkeys?
1 Answer

The origin of the three wise monkeys comes from a Japanese saying that translates to "speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil." A carving over the door of the Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan, produced during the 17th century is one of the earliest known visual representations of the concept. On 1stDibs, find a selection of art and decorative objects depicting the three wise monkeys.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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Shop for Three Wise Monkeys on 1stDibs
Three Wise Monkeys for Harry
By Kelly Houghton
Located in Denver, CO
Three Wise Monkeys for Harry
Category
21st Century and Contemporary More Art
Materials
Oil
Three Wise Monkeys Leather Sculptures
Located in Savannah, GA
A vintage group of leather wrapped figural sculptures depicting the three wise monkeys
Category
Mid-20th Century Animal Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Glass
$3,400 / set
A.Jeschel Three wise monkeys bracelet
By Elaine Silverstein
Located in Miami, FL
One-of-a-Kind
Three wise monkeys, based on an ancient Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$63 Sale Price
20% Off
Danish Wooden Sculpture of ‘The Three Wise Monkeys’
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Wooden sculpture of ‘The Three Wise Monkeys’, a symbol of oriental origin that conveys the
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Three Wise Monkey Agate Cameo Sterling Silver Cufflinks
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Here's our three wise monkey cameo cufflinks made in sterling silver. The cameos are made in
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Cufflinks
Materials
Agate, Chalcedony, Sterling Silver