Designers are transforming wood that predates civilisation into exclusive furniture pieces, creating a link between prehistoric materials and modern craftsmanship. Under special conditions, such as oxygen-poor bogs or volcanic ash, tree trunks can survive for millennia. In New Zealand, swamp kauri trees have been preserved for up to 50,000 years, while Denmark's bog oaks can be around 7,000 years old.
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Once recovered, the ancient wood is crafted into tables, panels, and sculptures, with the age of the material itself enhancing its value and appeal. For example, Danish designers Ole Pedersen and Jeppe Utzon have created The 7K Table from 7,000-year-old bog oak discovered on Funen.
While swamp kauri is among the oldest woods used in furniture, the oldest surviving furniture piece is an Egyptian wooden chair from circa 1450 BC, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other historic finds include 2,700-year-old furniture from a royal tomb in Ankara, Turkey, demonstrating sophisticated techniques such as layered construction and decorative inlays.
From prehistoric kauri and bog oak to reconstructed ancient chairs, these materials offer a unique narrative, merging history, sustainability, and modern design, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts at the high end of the furniture market.
Source: www.wood-supply.dk
