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Fine Hardwood Items

Handcrafted Contemporary Bog Oak Dice Set

Handcrafted Contemporary Bog Oak Dice Set
Photo Credit: koenigwood

Handcrafted Contemporary Bog Oak Dice Set

Buy It Now Price: $176 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This expertly handcrafted contemporary bog oak dice set was made by the Russian artist Karl Koenig and comes in its own custom-fitted, American walnut box with an affixed bog oak skull decoration.  In addition, the bog oak dice and skull are individually inlayed with a thin stainless steel strip that contrasts beautifully with the dark bog oak wood.

-The measurements of this bog oak dice set are not given by the seller.  But if the dice are the standard 16 mm (0.63 inch) dimension, it implies that the custom-fitted walnut box would be a bit over 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length and perhaps around 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide.

–Bog oak is ancient wood that has begun the initial stage of fossilization.  It originates from oak trees that fell into an acidic bog, marsh or swamp anywhere from 1,000 to 8,000 years ago.  The acids in the water gradually leached out some organic matter, replacing it with iron and other minerals.  This dramatically darkens the color of the wood.

-The materials used in this bog oak dice set are simply superb.  The way the richly patinaed American walnut box complements the contrasting stainless steel and bog oak dice elevates this set to investment grade art, in my opinion.

-Most bog oak comes from Ireland, England or the Baltic region.  This particular material is most likely Russian in origin and approximately 3,500 years old.  Bog oak’s rarity makes it an exceedingly expensive wood.

-Sometimes a work of art just comes together perfectly – much better than even the artist hoped.  I suspect this is one of those times.

-Bog oak is much harder than normal oak, which is already a very hard wood.  Consequently, bog oak requires special tools and a lot of experience to work properly.  Only a master woodcrafter can successfully work with bog oak.

-I love the RPG and table-top gaming connotations of this bog oak dice set.  These standard 6-sided cube dice would be a stunning addition to the arsenal of any hardcore Dungeons & Dragons, Elder Sign or Risk enthusiast.  Of course, these dice would also be equally at home with more traditional gambling games such as craps, chō-han or backgammon.

-This bog oak dice set is a prime example of what I call “future antiques” – one-of-a-kind luxury items of impeccable quality that are destined to be highly desirable antiques once they’ve seasoned for 40 or 50 years.

-Given the superb craftsmanship and high end materials employed in this bog oak dice set, I think the $176 buy-it-now price is absurdly low.  But if that sum is still too rich for you, you can always make the seller a lower offer.

 

Cons:

-This bog oak dice set is a contemporary piece, meaning it was made recently.  Buying contemporary art for investment purposes is risky because it doesn’t have any kind of an established track record yet.  Off-setting this risk somewhat is the fact that this dice set is utterly unique.  You can scour the globe, but I am certain you will never find a set of gaming dice quite like this one!

 

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Contemporary Men’s Walnut Valet Box by Ron Lentz

Contemporary Men's Walnut Valet Box by Ron Lentz
Photo Credit: RonLentz

Contemporary Men’s Walnut Valet Box by Ron Lentz

Asking Price: $149 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This sleek, contemporary men’s walnut valet box was handmade by Ron Lentz, an accomplished, self-taught woodworker operating in a small town just outside Richmond, Virginia.

–A valet is a dresser-top box used to store a man’s personal accessories, such as his keys, watches, cufflinks, rings, glasses and wallet.  A valet can be either a box with a lid, or a deep tray that is open on the top.  By keeping all of a man’s personal effects in one place, a valet can really help clean up a cluttered space.

-This men’s walnut valet is 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) long by 7.5 inches (19.1 cm) wide by 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) deep.  The interior of the valet is divided into three compartments that are all lined with green suede.

-This men’s valet is made from magnificently-figured solid walnut that has been carefully rubbed with natural walnut oil and wax to protect its surface.  The very best woodworkers never stain their fine woods, but instead allow them to show off their natural color and texture, as in this instance.

-This walnut valet combines a distinctly angular form with a sweeping, organic arc to create an unmistakably masculine work of art.

–I love a good hardwood box.  The finest examples are skillfully handcrafted from some of the most expensive woods in the world, including mahogany, cherry, ebony, walnut and cocobolo.  I’m certain the very best will eventually become heirloom quality antiques.

-This walnut valet is signed by the artist, Ron Lentz.  This is a very desirable attribute because really fine hardwood boxes aren’t simply woodworking or handicraft specimens.  They transcend those petty labels to stand as exquisite works of art.

-Unfortunately, if Mr. Lentz’ Etsy profile photo is accurate, he is getting on in age and I’m not sure how many more years of productive woodworking he has left.  This is yet another example of the coming crisis in contemporary art that I’ve written about before.

-This piece would make a great gift for a brother, father, husband or other man in your life.  Of course it would also make a satisfying treat for yourself too, if you are so inclined.  In light of the fact that this contemporary walnut valet is useful, stylish and even has the potential to appreciate in value as artwork, I think the $149 price tag is well justified.

 

Other Ron Lentz Valet Boxes for Sale on Etsy

(These are affiliate links for which I may be compensated)

 

Cons:

-Buying contemporary art is a high risk endeavor, at least from an investment perspective.  It is analogous to buying penny stocks in the stock market; you may do great, but don’t count on it.  Of course, the fact that this walnut valet is eminently functional certainly offsets some of the risk here.  Even if the piece ends up with no significant value on the secondary market in another decade or two, it will still have provided its owner with tremendous value through its organizational function and stunningly good looks.

-Walnut is the most expensive temperate hardwood generally available, but many varieties of fine tropical hardwoods, like mahogany, ebony, rosewood and bubinga, are all substantially more expensive.

19th Century Japanese Pumpkin Netsuke

19th Century Japanese Pumpkin Netsuke
Photo Credit: matsu-kaze-japan

19th Century Japanese Pumpkin Netsuke

Buy It Now Price: $330 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Here is a wonderfully patinaed, hand-carved pumpkin netsuke from Edo era Japan, circa 18th or 19th century.

-In the Edo era, before 1868, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate and its samurai retainers.  At the time, everyone wore kimonos, even samurai.  Netsuke were functional wardrobe accessories used to secure a traveler’s purse to his kimono sash.

-This antique pumpkin netsuke measures 36.5 mm (1.44 inches) tall by 45 mm (1.77 inches) wide.  Although it may not seem like it, this is actually a fairly sbustantial size for a netsuke.

-Technically, this netsuke carving isn’t actually a pumpkin!  Pumpkins were originally endemic to North America and were extensively cultivated by Native Americans.  While a few people in 19th century Japan certainly knew about pumpkins, this carving almost certainly represents a kabocha – a type of pumpkin-like Japanese squash.

-This old pumpkin netsuke is probably made from boxwood, the world’s premier carving wood.  Boxwood was used extensively in miniature hand-carved objets d’art in both Europe and Japan before the industrial era.

-Although freshly-cut boxwood starts off as a neutral, cream-colored wood, it gradually darkens over time, developing a beautifully rich and deep patina.

-I love the way the artist left some of the wood’s natural fissures and gnarls intact in order to add texture and interest to this pumpkin netsuke.  It is this phenomenal attention to detail that elevates antique Japanese netsuke to their status as legitimate works of art.

–Japanese antiques in general, and netsuke in particular, distill the very best attributes of Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetics into tangible objects that you can hold in your hand.  These works of art are, in my opinion, extremely undervalued in today’s market.

 

Cons:

-This 19th century Japanese pumpkin netsuke carving is unsigned; it would have been more valuable with a signature.  Netsuke carving was treated as a bona fide art form by the Japanese, and many of the very finest examples were signed by their creators.  In spite of this minor drawback, I believe this netsuke is still worth every penny of its $330 asking price.

-This netsuke carving has a very small, unobtrusive crack on the underside of the pumpkin that does not compromise the structural integrity of the piece.  It is not only acceptable, but expected for 150 to 200 (or more) year old wooden antiques to have minor defects of this nature.  I believe it has little to no impact on the value of the piece.

Antique Edo Period Japanese Toad Netsuke

Antique Edo Period Japanese Toad Netsuke
Photo Credit: matsu-kaze-japan

Antique Edo Period Japanese Toad Netsuke

Buy It Now Price: $999 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This antique wooden Japanese toad netsuke from the Edo period is a compelling objet d’art.  I believe it dates from the 18th century, a time of samurai swordsmen and their daimyo lords.

-The piece measures 43.8 mm (1.72 inches) wide by 21.7 mm (0.85 inches) tall.

-In Edo era Japan, everyone – even samurai – wore kimonos.  Netsuke were functional wardrobe accessories used to secure a traveler’s purse to his kimono sash.

-The subject matter of a toad is absolutely typical of old Japanese art.  Japanese artists delighted in playfully weaving naturalistic themes into their work.

-Everything about this antique Japanese netsuke screams “old”.  The undisturbed patina of the wood has a soft, lustrous glow that can only accumulate naturally over a very long period of time.

-This toad netsuke has no rough areas on its surface and the two cord holes underneath show significant wear.  Both of these factors are powerful indicators of use over an extended period of time and, by extension, authenticity.

-The delicacy and attention to detail on this Japanese toad netsuke are absolutely stunning.  It is a top notch example of traditional Japanese artistic sensibilities.

-The asking price of $999 for this Japanese toad netsuke is fair value for a masterpiece of this caliber.  I have little doubt this work will appreciate briskly in value in the future.

 

Cons:

-Although the piece is signed, the signature is illegible.  A legible signature would have boosted its value slightly.  However, even an unreadable signature still suggests that this Japanese toad netsuke was considered a magnificent work of art by its creator.

-This example is on the small side, even for a netsuke.  I believe this restrains the value of the piece, albeit modestly.

-The seller does not disclose the kind of wood used in this sculpture.  I’m leaning towards boxwood, a slow-growing, very fine carving wood native to Japan that was commonly used for netsuke.  However, the piece would have to be personally inspected by a knowledgeable party to make this determination.  However, this is a small quibble.