Bàla no.17

Turned from richly toned plum wood, featuring strong contrasts between golden sapwood and deep reddish heartwood. The surface bears striking natural fissures and historic insect tracing — intricate tunnels carved beneath the bark long before the piece was made, now sealed and stable. These details create a lively interplay of texture and colour, revealing the raw beauty of the wood’s transformation. The finish is smooth to the touch yet preserves the wood’s natural relief and depth.

These sculptural wooden spheres are crafted by a Friulian artisan near Martina’s family vineyard, close to the Slovenian border. Made from pieces of fallen or broken trees found in the surrounding woods—often collected after storms—each sphere is shaped and finished by hand, giving new form and purpose to salvaged materials. The maker, who prefers to remain anonymous, works slowly and intuitively, allowing the natural character of the wood to guide each piece.

Foliage shown for styling purposes only and not included with the piece.