Duality - River Kahikatea Inlaid Board

Handcrafted from a bookmatched length of River Kahikatea, this sculptural display piece features naturally stained, river-recovered timber precisely composed as a 255-piece geometric inlay.

Each element of the inlay was cut and assembled by hand from five other native species: River Kauri, River Mataī, River Rimu, River Tōtara, and River Puriri.

Pairing the inlay with Kahikatea — a timber once prized by Māori carvers and early settlers alike — creates a luminous backdrop that naturally mirrors itself across the grain, adding symmetry and depth to the composition.

Each pattern piece was cut and assembled by hand at 6mm thick, then inlaid with patience, my grandfather’s old hammer, and a set of razor-sharp chisels.

No CNC here — just a man with more patience than sense.

This board was designed to function both as an elegant display platform and a standalone sculptural work — a quiet reflection of balance, duality, and connection to the awa and whenua of Aotearoa.

As with all my display boards, customization is available.
A slide holder or routed reliefs for your collection can be added on request for an additional cost.

Sanded and finished to 5000 grit using Rubio Monocoat "Pure", a VOC-free hardwax oil finish that’s food-contact safe and preserves the timber’s natural tone.

Rubio Monocoat is top quality VOC free hard wax oil finish, it is food contact safe, and can be cleaned using isopropyl alcohol or Rubio's own Monocoat soap.