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 sourced in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the far north-east of Italy, close to the Slovenian border. Each one is hand-turned from storm-fallen wood — apple, plum, elm — gathered from the surrounding forests. The maker, who prefers to remain anonymous, works slowly and intuitively, allowing the natural character of each piece of salvaged wood to guide the final form.

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