Carving is the decorative process of shaping wood, stone, ivory or other materials by hand using chisels, gouges and specialised tools. Throughout the history of furniture making, carving has been used to create ornament ranging from simple mouldings to highly elaborate foliage, animals, scrolls, cherubs and architectural details. Fine carving is often regarded as one of the clearest indicators of craftsmanship and quality in antique furniture and decorative arts.