he sculpture represents a koi, an emblematic fish of Japanese culture, meticulously carved in fossilized wood. The natural tones of wood, from deep black to light beige, create a striking contrast that highlights the fine details of the work. The koi’s body is precisely sculpted, with fine-shaped fins and graceful curves in its movement, as if it was swimming gently through the water. The fossilized wood gives the sculpture a unique texture and an impression of solidity and age, evoking the passage of time. The variation of the natural colours of the material, with black and beige veins, adds visual depth and richness to the work, accentuating the realism and beauty of the fish. The set creates a room that is both elegant and full of character, where art and nature meet harmoniously.
Fossilized wood, also known as petrified wood, is the result of a geological process that transforms wood into stone over millions of years. This process is as follows:
The wood of a fallen or dead tree is quickly buried under layers of sediment, volcanic ash, or in an environment devoid of oxygen, such as a swamp. The lack of oxygen slows down the decomposition, allowing the wood to remain intact for longer.
Groundwater, often rich in minerals such as silicon dioxide (SiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), or other minerals, begins to seep into buried wood. These minerals are dissolved in water and begin to penetrate the wood cells.
Over time, the dissolved minerals slowly replace the organic material in wood, cell by cell. This process, called petrification, does not change the structure of wood but fills it with minerals, gradually transforming the wood into a stone while retaining its original characteristics such as growth rings and texture.
The completely petrified wood is now a fossil stone, retaining the shape and patterns of the original tree. The different minerals involved in this process give petrified wood a variety of colors and patterns, with shades ranging from black to beige, red, blue, green and purple, depending on the minerals present.
Fossilized wood is thus a testimony of geological history, combining the natural beauty of wood with the strength and durability of stone, creating unique and precious objects.
Dimensions: 36x22x11cm
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