Ancient River Totara – Case #9
Emerging from centuries of stillness beneath Northland’s rivers, Case #9 is a testament to time, craftsmanship, and the enduring beauty of nature.
Handcrafted from two distinctly figured lengths of River Totara, this piece carries the legacy of Aotearoa’s forests—trees that once stood watch over an untouched land, thriving long before European settlers arrived.
The striking contrast between the two Totara timbers tells a story shaped by time itself. The darker accents, preserved beneath the river’s surface for centuries longer, have deepened in hue, while the lighter body of the case, far denser, has had its grain features only subtly enriched by its time submerged.
Together, they embody transformation, resilience, and renewal.
Precision, Passion, Perfection
Over 300 hours of meticulous craftsmanship went into this case, with more than 50 hours dedicated solely to hand-sanding through 23 grits of sandpaper. The interior and exterior were refined to an 8,000-grit mirror finish before being protected with Rubio Monocoat +2C in “Pure”, preserving the timber’s natural warmth while allowing its chatoyant grain to dance in the light.
Though Rubio Monocoat provides a soft matte finish, the unparalleled smoothness gives the surface a luminous depth—a reflection of both the wood’s journey through time and the care poured into its creation.
A Treasure to House Your Treasures
This case is more than a vessel; it is a guardian.
What once stood over Aotearoa’s forests has been given new life—to safeguard what you hold most precious.
This is my finest work yet—a true taonga, destined to be cherished for generations.
