Natural Tumor Nodule - Alnus sp

This specimen is a natural tumor nodule formed on the trunk of an alder, a tree typical of wet and mountainous areas. The wooden sculpture we see today is the result of a biological process: an abnormal and chaotic growth of the timber tissue, born as the tree’s reaction to environmental traumas, fungal or parasitic attacks, or simple injuries. The wood developed irregularly, creating an interweaving of fibers, knots, and multiform grains that give the work a dynamic, three-dimensional appearance. The surface reveals tones ranging from dark brown to honey gold, up to lighter and silvery shades. Placed on a base in iron with a rust finish, the whole acquires a strong conceptual value: the contrast between living wood and oxidized metal recalls themes of pollution, smog, and the wounds humanity inflicts on the Earth. The sculpture thus becomes a reflection on the fragile balance between progress and nature, between environmental scars and the resilience of the plant world. From a botanical point of view, nodules like this (also called galls or burl wood) are highly prized for the rarity and complexity of their grain, used for centuries in the production of prized veneers for furniture, pipes, handles, and wooden artworks. Their uniqueness is absolute, as every tumorous growth follows an unpredictable path. Symbolically, this work represents nature’s resilience, capable of turning a wound into a masterpiece. It is at once a testament to the tree’s biological history and a universal metaphor of transformation, of resilience, and of the capacity to rebirth despite adversity. Species: Alder (Alnus sp.) Trunk dimensions: approx. 48 × 44 × 110 cm Base: iron with rust finish, 56 × 56 × 7 cm Total weight: 62 kg A unique piece, halfway between natural art and contemporary sculpture, able to engage with those who observe it, revealing each time new forms, faces, and landscapes hidden in its grain.

Estimate:$4,260.85

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