Bàla no.18

Turned from a richly grained piece of storm-felled elm, this sphere shows a striking natural void — the hollow heart where the wood began to decay and mineralise. The contrast between its warm golden sapwood and dark, charred-like core gives it a sculptural depth and sense of movement. Mounted on a small brass base.

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.