Burl Happy Monk of Tranquil Blessings

This exquisite Happy Monk Sculpture is meticulously crafted from free-form burl wood, with features elegantly accented in sterling silver and decorated with 24K gold leaf. The monk is adorned with jade studs and a prayer bead necklace, made from sterling silver and embellished with 24K gold leaf, symbolizing meditation practice. In one hand, the monk holds a sterling silver bat. The sculpture is set on a sleek black granite stand. The bat, a legendary creature in Chinese culture, symbolizes happiness and longevity. The monk’s gourd, known for its symbolic representation of banishing troubles, brings blessings and good health.

Rolf von Bueren, an avid burl wood collector for over 40 years, personally travels to Japan to seek out rare and beautiful pieces of burl wood. Some he keeps, some he shares with his collector friends, and some he uses in LAdV designs. Burl wood results in uniquely patterned wood that is highly prized for its beauty. It is valued and sought after by artists, furniture makers, and sculptors. The ""wild grain"" in burl makes the wood extremely dense and resistant to splitting, which is why it is valued for bowls, artifacts, and sculptures. The rarity and natural beauty of burl wood make it a prized material for creating exquisite and one-of-a-kind designs. Burl wood is also a popular material in many auction houses across the world.
 
It took 8 master craftsmen with a combined production time of 3 months to complete the Ganesha. From imagining its unique design, sculpting its shape, carving the wood, to employing a silver smith, great thought and care has gone into creating this timeless art piece.
 
Size: 49(W) x 56(L) x 82(H) cm.                    
Weight: 58 kg.